awake o sleeper

A southern drawl snares Remi’s attention and coaxes the turn of aureate features in search of the source; the pace of a pulse increases as her gaze lands on a set of stunning features, a grin coiling her mouth in a manner feline. “I look that pathetic, hey?” with July’s heat coaxing a wardrobe of little clothing, the blemishes staining limbs were visible with ease (road rash rubbed the swell of thighs raw, bruises puckered shoulders violet), provoking Remi to garner more lingering gazes than she was accustomed to. “I’m location scouting, so pretty much meandering at this point. Though I have been meaning to pop by a hotel– the Crimson Ridge? Have you heard of it?”

“Not pathetic, no - never,” Beau said with a gentle shake of his head. Tucking a loose curl behind his ear, he tried to ignore the humming of her pulse. He wasn’t about to let his hunger get the best of him. You can find a snack later, Beaufort. Help this young woman first. Resigning to the thought, his brows rose at her question. “Crimson Ridge? Yeah, I’m familiar with the place.” A smirk graced his features, the man placing his hands on his hips and standing a bit taller. “I just so happen to be close acquaintances with the owner, actually. Why do you wanna see that place, darlin’? I hear it’s just a musty ol’ house, nothin’ real special.” 

“Hard liquor, always.”

A scent filled the air and Beau had completely lost track of what he’d been doing. His eyes closed and he took a whiff, a long dragged out sniff of the slight breeze rolling towards him. It was sweet, the kind of smell that caused his mouth to water slightly. It had been a while since he partook, and the vampire couldn’t help the thirst taking over him. He needed to quench the desire that was slowly overtaking him. Eyes opening, he began to follow the scent, much like a bloodhound on a trail. An eagerness swept through him, and it took everything in him to not speed up his pace. Whoever was the owner of that lovely scent was not too far off, and Beau didn’t need to frighten them. Tongue poking out to moisten lips, he rounded the bend in pursuit. 

He stopped almost immediately when he realized who he was targeting. Just a few yards ahead was a short blonde woman, her hair quivering slightly in that breeze that tumbled through. He caught sight of her neck, peaks between golden curtains, and it only caused his hunger to grow. Charm her. Get her to trust you. Then take a sip. Just a sip, compel her and let her go, his mind told him and he began walking towards her. His most charming grin was already taking to his features, the man smoothing out his button down as he drew closer, but the expression vanished when the sun caught onto something else. You cannot harm a girl in a cast, Beaufort. All at once, the need vanished and his lips tugged downwards in a frown. “Ma’am?” he called out, approaching her cautiously. Hunger be damned, the moment he caught sight of the bruises and cuts he felt terrible for wanting to make her into brunch. “I couldn’t help but notice you, ah... Hobblin’ along. I was wonderin’ if I could help you get somewhere?” 

2: Are you single/taken/heartbroken/confused?

“I am confused as to why this is important information.”

11: Last three things you had to drink?

“Well, let’s see... A mint julep, some whiskey... Oh, and a lovely secretary on holiday by the name of Sarah. Truly delicious.”

13: Have you ever told somebody you loved them and not actually meant it?

“Once or twice... Maybe a few dozen times this past century. Nobody’s perfect.”

54: Do you have trust issues?

“I don’t think you can have ‘trust issues’ if you don’t trust anyone from the get go.” 

58: Have you ever slapped someone in the face?

“I am a true southern gentleman, and a southern gentleman needn’t use violence to get his point across. ...That bein’ said, I have been known to, uh, ‘lose my composure’ every once and a while... I suppose the answer you’re lookin’ for is, yes... Maybe once or twice.” 

66: Were your last three kisses from the same person?

“Most certainly not... And that’s all you’re gettin’ from me on the matter. A gentleman never kisses and tells.” 

“Do I look like the kind of man that shops at Hot Topic?” 

The silent stride of the person beside her made Magda glance over curiously, but it was the soft curve of syllables that made her smile. Her arms were laden with wares for her home, a lamp stuck out haphazardly from her elbow and a bag draped from her narrow shoulder– despite walking to the store, she had misjudged how much she could comfortably carry. “I would love that.” Juggling the lamp and a bagged up set of couch cushions, she shimmied them over to the other vampire’s hold. “Chivalry truly isn’t dead.” 

Beau graciously took the items offered, easily holding them in his own grasp as he walked beside the other vampire. “You can thank your fellow immortals for that,” he quipped as he shuffled the lamp into the crook of his elbow. “If it weren’t for us, then chivalry just might have seen its end. They really don’t care for manners the way they used to.” He shook his head at the thought.

“I got it, I got it.” She lied, struggling to keep hold of the array of different items she was carrying towards the check out counter. Why didn’t she never cave and get a basket? She was about two seconds away from dropping most of it when he offered to help, but she had a stubborn streak. “I do this all the time.”

“Are you sure?” It slipped out before he could stop himself. Beau wasn’t the type to push, but it hardly looked like she ‘did this all the time’. Unless she got a weird kick from carrying more than plausible. The corner of his lips twitched upwards as he watched the struggle continue. “Not that you don’t look it, ma’am but... No, I can’t even lie. You really don’t look like you’ve ‘got it’.”